Story By: Juan Mayes, Sub-Editor: Joana Mihajlovska, Agency: Newsflash
A 3,200-year-old mural in Peru has been largely destroyed by farmers looking to gain more land who did not realise it was a sacred symbol that marked the location of an ancient burial site.
The discovery was made in the valleys of the province of Viru in the Peruvian department of Lambayeque and was reported earlier this week.
Locals found it while using large machinery to expand their agricultural fields in the area which is known for its sugar cane plantations.
Archaeologist Regulo Franco Jordan, who is locally known for discovering the funeral bundle of Dama de Cao (Lady of Cao), was alerted about the site’s discovery by a friend and immediately went there to investigate.
He told local sources: “When I got there I was very surprised to see this impressive facade with geometric shapes. The types of adobe found did not have a relation with the Moche occupation but were related to the Cupisnique.”
He concluded the burial site, locally known as ‘huaca’ was around 3,200 years old.
He also found the mural that accompanies it was largely destroyed by people who were trying to expand their agricultural fields.
Regulo estimates around 60 percent of the mural was lost leaving only a small structure measuring 15 metres (49 feet) in diameter and five metres (16 feet) high.
The images show the site which has markings on it on some areas apparently from large machines such as excavators.
Franco reportedly contacted officials ensuring the monument’s protection and preservation as he continues to investigate the site.
He said: “One of the evidence of this architectural structure is its strategic location next to the river.”
He added it probably served as some sort of holy site dedicated to one of the water divinities of the Cupisnique people but cannot confirm anything until after a thorough investigation.
The site is believed to be composed of three different structures piled on top of the other and shows indications that it was used for religious ceremonies.
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